Can I come??
Sounds perfect! Friends had a party like that about 15 years ago and it was great fun. The house was off limits, not a problem.....but don't remember what they did about the "potty situation".
If anyone wants to see the house....tell them "sorry! The party's in the barn this time! I can't be 2 places at once!"
Linda C

Actually, we're just going to have 2 porta potties stationed right outside the barn...hopefully that'll take care of that end@!! ;o)

Is there a corn field near by.....for the guys?
Linda C

Yes, there is!! Lots of corn!

Sounds wonderful. I just hosted a pig roast for a charitable organization outdoors on my property last weekend and kept the house locked so I don't see it as being unusual. We had a double-wide portapottie that had a sink with running water from a tank on the back and a battery operated light so no reason to go indoors.

Just thinking about the port-a-potty makes me cringe! Get better TP to put in them than what the company will send! Ruthanna has the right idea- running water and a light and a little more space inside are needed improvements.

Sorry, but I don't think that I would have said "Our house will be locked and we will not be showing it that night to anyone". I am sure it made the person feel uncomfortable and embarrassed. After all, I think a tour would have been the normal expectation in this instance.

Perhaps a more gentle response would have been 'oh, we'll be doing a tour at a later time, this night will be for partying in the barn".

That aside, I think that your intentions are in the right place, and it is very thoughtful of you to have the party.

Sue

It sounds like fun but be sure you have a place to wash up after the potty.
Someone I know had an outside wedding, brought in a flatbed
truck with a porta potty on it locked up the house and had
someone stand guard at the door.
It cetainly was the most talked about wedding for a long time.
You'll have a great time. Go for it!

Jan

A barn holds a lot more people than most houses and it makes sense to keep this party in the barn. Maybe print invites (on the computer with colored paper) that explain that it is a barn party and if people ask about a house tour you can say that you have been doing some rearranging and will have people visit (in smaller groups) when the house is set up the way you want. You could put printed notes on the door explaining that too, if you want.

The porta potties are OK if you have someone keep an eye on them and check to see that they stay clean and have TP there. Maybe provide wetwipes for handwashing or a temporary handwash station with a hose. Straw bales are good seating and the decor sounds lovely.

Fireraven9
The morns are meeker than they were,
The nuts are getting brown;
The berry's cheek is plumper,
The rose is out of town. - Emily Dickinson

I think it sounds wonderful.....the wet wipes in the porta potty is a grest idea. We did one of these, years ago when Dallas was a big TV hit, and it was a blast!

I agree that you should focus on this as a barn dance....or an open house but not both! Maybe you could add on the invitation that an open house is planned for later on.

Which brings me to the invitations...send them not because it's protocol but because it gives you a chance to spell out the guidelines, nicely, and by adding an RSVP you'll have a good feeling for how many to expect!

Have a great time ...and biggest tip off all, big no smoking signs!

How did it go?

The dance is next Sat. night, the 28th...I'll post details!!!

Call Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney to put on a show.